The 2nd seeded Crimson Tide defeated Robert Morris on Friday by a score of 90-81 to advance to the round of 32 on Sunday. Bama will play the winner of Vanderbilt and St Marys. The game was much closer than expected, but with the Tide battling injuries the mantra was just survive and advance. Grant Nelson was held out of the starting lineup due to his knee injury that he suffered in the SEC Tournament. Nelson was called into action late and was greatly contributed to the victory.
Coach Nate Oats sent out a starting five of Mark Sears, Labaron Philon, Chris Youngblood, Jarin Stevenson, and Clifford Omouryi. The Tide started fast and ran out to an early lead. Robert Morris finally found their footing as the Bama guards couldn’t slow their counterparts and closed the margin.
The story of the first half was mostly Omouryi dunking the ball after nice passes from Sears and Philon. Darion Reid returned to action and made an impression as well. Mo Dioubate joined with Omoruyi to score the majority of the Tides points in the half. Dioubate even tossed in a pair of three point baskets. With 8:23 left in the half Bama led 28-18 but Robert Morris didn’t panic and worked the margin to four points at the half at 40-36.
In the first half the Tide shot 17-28 for 60%, 4-10 from three point range, and 2-4 from the free throw line. Bama corralled 18 rebounds, dished out 13 assists, blocked three shots, stole one ball and committed five turnovers. Omoruyi had 15 points on seven dunks and one free throw and added three rebounds and a block. Dioubate scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting. In only four minutes Reid had four points and three rebounds. Sears, Philon, and Holloway combined for six points and 11 assists in the period.
The Colonials shot 16-39 for 41%, 4-14 for 29% from three and did not attempt a free throw. Morris had 18 rebounds, eight offensively, seven assists, two steals, three blocks, and committed only one turnover. Amarion Dickerson scored 13 points and had four rebounds to lead his team.
The same starters came out for the second half, with still no action for Nelson. Omouryi started the second half with yet another dunk, but after hurting his ankle, never scored again in the half. Sears, Dioubate, and Holloway all scored to push the Tide out to a 56-46 lead and it looked as if they were ready to take control. The Colonials had other ideas and cut into the lead. The game stayed at a two to six point margin until Robert Morris made a run and took their first and only lead of the game at 65-64 with 7:20 left.
With Stevenson and Omouryi both been hampered by injuries, Nelson was finally called on and made his mark quickly, scoring a basket to put the Tide back in front. Sears then made his living where is prone to do, at the charity stripe. The lead was up to 79-68 with 2:35 left by Morris would still not go away. Several missed free throws and turnovers kept the Colonials alive. Bama finally was able to make enough free throws and hold on the ball long enough to win 90-81.
In the second half Bama shot 17-30 for 57%, 2-11 from deep for 18% and 14-20 for 70% on free throws. Overall the Tide shot 34-58 for 59%, 6-12 for 29% from three, and 16-24 for 67% at the free throw line. Bama finished with 37 rebounds, five blocks, seven steals, 25 assists, and 12 turnovers. Sears led the way with 22 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds and was player of the game. Dioubate was of course the hard hat winner with 18 points, 10 rebounds, a pair of steals and two blocked shots. Omoruyi finished with 17 points on 8-8 shooting, well dunking, and had four rebounds and two blocks. Philon hit a late free throw for his only point of the game but added eight assists. Reid scored nine and rebounded four in just 10 minutes as he returns from his long injury break.
Robert Morris shot 17-39 for 44% in the second half with 3-13 for 23% from behind the arc and made 8-13 free throws for 62%. Overall RMU shot 33-78 for 42%, 7-27 fro 26% from three, and 8-13 on free throws. Morris won the battle of rebounds with 39 with a huge number of 16 on the offensive end. The Colonials had 17 assists, seven steals, five blocks, and nine turnovers, most of them late in the game. Dickerson was the star with 25 points and nine rebounds. Four other Morris players finished in double digits.
The Tide was sloppy and at times uninspired, but this time of year the mantra is survive and advance, and they managed to do so. St Marys looks like the tougher of the two matchups that Bama could play on Sunday. Clean up the rebounding and free throw shooting and the team can still go far.
Roll Tide
